COMMUNITY FIRST COMPLETES SALE OF SEATRUST MORTGAGE COMPANY

Rhea-AI Summary

Community First Bancorporation (OTC: CFOK) announced the completion of an all-cash sale of its subsidiary, SeaTrust Mortgage Company, to Primis Bank. This acquisition allows SeaTrust to rebrand as Primis Mortgage. CEO Richard D. Burleson stated that selling SeaTrust enables the company to exit the volatile mortgage market and focus on enhancing its commercial, retail, and small business lending services within its existing banking footprint. SeaTrust launched in February 2020 and had multiple offices across North Carolina and Florida.

Positive

• Sale of SeaTrust Mortgage Company allows Community First to focus on core banking operations.
• The strategic move may enhance community lending capabilities.

Negative

• Exiting the mortgage market indicates potential revenue loss from mortgage services.

SENECA, S.C., June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Community First Bancorporation ("Community First") (OTC: CFOK), the parent company of Community First Bank Inc. ("Bank"), completed the sale of the Bank's subsidiary, SeaTrust Mortgage Company ("SeaTrust") to Primis Bank, Glen Allen, Virginia ("Primis") in an all-cash transaction. SeaTrust will rebrand to Primis Mortgage.

Community First Bancorporation, the parent company of Community First Bank Inc., completed the sale of the Bank's subsidiary, SeaTrust Mortgage Company

SeaTrust opened for business in February 2020, is headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina, and has offices in Wilmington, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Jacksonville, North Carolina, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Jacksonville, Florida, and Nashville, Tennessee.

Richard D. Burleson, President and CEO of Community First, stated: "At this time in the economic cycle we are happy to remove ourselves from the volatility of the mortgage market outside of our core banking footprint. We believe with our Freddie Mac capabilities and our in-house mortgage products available in our Retail Banking Centers, we remain fully capable of managing the needs of our customers. This sale will allow the Bank to focus its resources on expanding its commercial, retail, and small business lending offerings in the communities we serve."

Community First Bank Inc., a South Carolina chartered community bank, operates eight banking offices in the South Carolina communities of Seneca, Walhalla, Anderson, Williamston, Westminster, and Greenville, two banking offices in North Carolina in Charlotte and Dallas, two banking offices in Elizabethton, Tennessee and two loan production offices in Waynesville, North Carolina and Kingsport, Tennessee.

Community First Bank Inc. was advised by D. A. Davidson & Co. as financial advisor and Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP as legal counsel.

Contact:
Richard D. Burleson President and Chief Executive Officer
Community First Bancorporation Office
864-886-0206 www.c1stbank.com

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SOURCE Community First Bank

FAQ

What was the recent transaction involving Community First Bancorporation?

Community First Bancorporation completed the sale of its subsidiary, SeaTrust Mortgage Company, to Primis Bank in an all-cash transaction.

What is the significance of the sale of SeaTrust Mortgage Company for CFOK?

The sale allows CFOK to focus on expanding its commercial, retail, and small business lending services in its core markets.

When was SeaTrust Mortgage Company established?

SeaTrust Mortgage Company opened for business in February 2020.

Where are the offices of SeaTrust Mortgage Company located?

SeaTrust had offices in Wilmington, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Jacksonville in North Carolina, as well as Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Jacksonville in Florida, and Nashville in Tennessee.

What does the sale mean for the future of Community First Bancorporation?

The sale is expected to help Community First focus resources on its core banking operations and reduce exposure to the mortgage market's volatility.